KUMBH MELA. THE NAGA BABAS PROCESSION (2010) (23/40)

Over more than 10 km, a big city is built. Inside there thousands of pilgrims and faithful people live during months that the Kumbh Mela fair take place. Arrived from all parts and corners of all India and abroad, millions of sadhus and pilgrims come to the most important gathering in the world with only one purpose, dip them at the banks of the Holy river Ganga. Holy Snan or bathing in the river Ganga is of great importance. It is believed that it washes away all the sins and the cycle of...more »

Over more than 10 km, a big city is built. Inside there thousands of pilgrims and faithful people live during months that the Kumbh Mela fair take place. Arrived from all parts and corners of all India and abroad, millions of sadhus and pilgrims come to the most important gathering in the world with only one purpose, dip them at the banks of the Holy river Ganga. Holy Snan or bathing in the river Ganga is of great importance. It is believed that it washes away all the sins and the cycle of rebirth and death ends as the soul becomes one with God.
Close to the major event of the festival, the ritual bathing in the most auspicious date, on 14th April, millions of pilgrims reach to the city full up blast it. On that date alone approximately 10 million people bathed in the Ganges river. According to officials by mid April about 40 million people had bathed since January 14th 2010. All around is full by the crowded, on the streets people live, eat and sleep. Along days and nights crowded is controlled by long lines of fierce police and army, which are armed with special bamboo sticks and weapons to keep order and let it flux up on waves of devotees and pilgrims, stir it up suddenly small clashes.
The most important features of the Mela are furious and exotic Naga Sadhus covered in ash, matted hairs and are known as preservers of faith. The darshan (the blessings) of all the magnificent saints and yogis who come out of their Himalayan caves only once very 12 years in order to bless the people. These sadhus are widely respected by the crowded, and recognized due their extreme austerities and rituals. They keep attracting the attention of all when go out form their camps and walk in procession to perform the sacred bathing into the Holy Ganga river, amid of noisy and deafening chants, waving swords and facing people to keep the way free to leave pass them.« less